LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Senior
Elliot Cohen was tabbed the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Short Stick Defensive Midfielder of the Year on Wednesday, while seven Washington and Lee men's lacrosse players were named All-Americans.
In addition to his major award, Cohen represented the Generals on the USILA All-America First Team to lead W&L's selections. Senior attackman
James Haley was tabbed to the third team, while seniors
Colin Beatty (SSDM),
Chris Datz (D) and
Jay O'Keefe (D), sophomore
Israel Mikkelson (FO) and first-year
Luke Caldwell (A) were all honorable mentions.
Cohen picks up his second national major award of the season after opening the year as the USA Lacrosse Magazine Preseason Specialist of the Year. Cohen had yet another strong season as a starting defensive midfielder for the Generals, totaling 29 ground balls and three caused turnovers. He also produced the most prolific offensive stats of his career in 2026 with career highs in points (35), goals (12) and assists (23). Cohen had a season high of four ground balls in a 26-4 win at Shenandoah, with a five-point game coming in the ODAC championship game against Lynchburg.
A 2026 USA Lacrosse Magazine Second Team All-American, Haley produced the highest-scoring season in W&L men's lacrosse history to close out his career. He broke the program single-season record for points (115), while recording the second-most goals (62) and assists (53) in a season in program history. Haley especially heated up over the final seven games of the season, totaling 46 points on 24 goals and 22 assists. In that stretch, he scored four goals five times and had three eight-point games.
Beatty enjoyed a career season as a senior with 19 caused turnovers, 62 ground balls and 11 points on seven goals and four assists. Another standout defensive midfielder, Beatty's 19 caused turnovers were far and away a single-season career high, while his mark of 62 ground balls ranked third on the team and the most among non-faceoff players. Beatty's 19 caused turnovers led W&L's defensive midfielders and tied for second most overall on the team.
Datz receives his second straight USILA All-America Honorable Mention and fourth career citation overall after remaining in top form on the Generals' defensive unit for his senior season. Starting all 22 games, Datz was fifth on the team and third among W&L defensemen with 17 caused turnovers this season. He also added 53 ground balls, fourth on the team, to also earn Second Team All-ODAC laurels to close out his career.
O'Keefe led the Generals' defense once again this season in caused turnovers with 28, to go along with 36 ground balls. He caused at least one turnover in 14 games this season and had multiple caused turnovers eight times. O'Keefe also added five goals on the offensive end of the field, tied for the most among W&L defensemen. For his efforts this season, O'Keefe collected his first career First Team All-ODAC selection and later added First Team All-America honors from USA Lacrosse Magazine.
Mikkelson excelled on faceoffs this season after stepping into a much larger role. He won 153-of-226 (.677) faceoffs and got to a team-high 100 ground balls. He led the Generals' face-off specialists in wins and win percentage, while ranking second in the ODAC in winning percentage and third in ground balls. Mikkelson was a key part of W&L's ODAC Tournament championship when he went 23-for-27 at the X with 19 ground balls and a goal.
Caldwell put together one of the best offensive seasons in W&L men's lacrosse history. The 2026 ODAC Rookie of the Year, Caldwell produced 102 points on 52 goals and 50 assists to rank second on the team and Top-3 in the ODAC for each. His assists and points totals are not only Top-3 marks in single-season program history, but they are both program records for a first-year player. Caldwell also recorded 39 ground balls and eight caused turnovers this season.
The Generals repeated as ODAC Tournament champions this season and posted a 16-6 overall record. It marked the fourth consecutive season with both 16 or more wins and an NCAA Tournament Round of 16 appearance or better.
Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.
